Blind golfers to experience golf for the first time at the Qld Open
This month’s Queensland Blind Golf Open will not only feature some of Australia’s most talented blind golfers, it will also be the first time some blind and low vision people play golf on a golf course.
In what could possibly be another world first for World Blind Golf, their annual Queensland tournament will feature a “beginners” division, welcoming complete golf novices, allowing them to experience the thrill of playing golf in a golf tournament.
World Blind Golf President Dr Brad Carver says they’ve been absolutely thrilled at the interest being shown in the new beginners category by local blind and low vision players.
“We had absolutely no idea that the beginner’s division would prove so popular” he said.
“We’re trying to remove all barriers to entry – our aim is to encourage as many blind people as possible to give golf a go.”
“Our main goal is to promote golf as a viable lifestyle for people who are blind or have low vision, especially those who have never considered taking up the fastest growing sport in the world” he said.
“We’re working constructively with Gold Coast and Brisbane based support agencies to help enable many of their clients to have this unique experience in a safe and well-supported way”
World Blind Golf is an Australian-based not-for-profit charity which has been created by local blind golfers to encourage greater public-awareness of the rapidly growing sport of blind golf and has announced plans to stage blind golf tournaments at some of the world’s best courses.
The Queensland Blind Golf Open is the premier annual blind golf event in Queensland and this year it will be held at Parkwood Golf Course on the Gold Coast.
The event is co-presented by Blind Golf Queensland and World Blind Golf and has the support of a number of local professional PGA members. For the second year, the event is being supported by the host course Parkwood Golf Club who are also excited to welcome new and aspiring blind golfers to the sport.
“We’re also fortunate to have a number of new sponsors on board this year, including international golfing apparel maker Fenix Xcell, who will be joining with other sponsors to ensure that these new golfers are fitted out with the latest golf gear so even though some may have never been on a golf course before, they will all certainly look like golfers” Dr Carver said.
World Blind Golf have enlisted the support of a small army of local volunteers who will accompany the new golfers in the 6-hole golfing experience.
“Obviously we’ve taken every precaution to ensure that all competitors in the new beginner’s are well taken care of.”
“We’ll also have professional golf caddies and golf coaches with each group to make sure everyone is staying safe and having a great time”
“However we’re very thankful to our wonderful volunteers – we couldn’t run an event of this size without our volunteers giving up the time to assist our new golfers”.
Entries for the first-of-a-kind Queensland event are still open and online registration is available visa the World Blind Golf website at http://blind.golf. Absolutely no experience is required.
Qld Blind Golf Open
BEGINNERS DIVISION
Play in a golf tournament!
Absolutely no golf experience necessary.
Caddies and gear provided.
July 29 2022
Parkwood Golf Course
Register Online
